Share this:

Over my 22 years in this business, you are bound to run across people that don’t agree with something you’ve written or perhaps said during an interview.

Tuesday night, I was reminded once again about one of my harshest critics — someone who I never saw before one afternoon at the Glens Falls Civic Center, and have not seen since.

I sure do remember his words, though.

A few weeks earlier than the night in question, I appeared on Rodger Wyland’s Big Board Radio Sports show (WOFX, 980 AM) in my usual Friday morning slot. One of Rodger’s questions to me was, ”How do you think the careers of Talor Battle and Jimmer Fredette will go in college?”

I said there would be a “brief adjustment period,” more for Jimmer, and that both would starters and promiment players by their sophomore years at Penn State and Brigham Young, respectively.

Well, flash forward to the day, March 18, 2007, when Glens Falls was competing in the state Class A final at the Glens Falls Civic Center against Peekskill.

It was right before the game and I was heading upstairs to sit in the hockey press box to watch the game (something I always do). The man, roughly 6-foot-4 and someone who looked like he played the game, caught me going up the stairs.

“You don’t seriously think this Jimmer Fredette kid is going to do anything in college, do you? I heard you on the radio with Wyland. You can’t be serious about him,” the man said. “Fredette won’t score 400 points in his entire college career. He’s too slow and can’t get his shot off at that level.”

My response was polite: “You are entitled to your opinion, and I am entitled to mine. I’ve seen him play and develop over the last five years and I think he’ll do just fine in college.”

The next response I received wasn’t as nice.

“You are a fool. You think you know something about basketball, but you don’t know nothing … nothing. You’re a joke. Anyone you listens to what you have to say is even worse.”

OK. Time to go upstairs.

Fredette and the Indians lost that afternoon 58-48 to Peekskill. Jimmer scored 19 points to push his career total to a Section II-record 2,404 points, but connected on just 3 of 24 shots.

As I came downstairs to do my interviews, I received one final reminder of what was in store for Fredette in college.

“Remember what I told you. Fredette won’t score 400 points in his entire college career. Mark it down son. You’ll be eating your words real soon.”

Tuesday night near the midway point of their senior seasons in college, Jimmer Fredette and Talor Battle delivered monster performances to help Brigham Young and Penn State to victories.

And I could not help but recall those proclamations made to me nearly 46 months early — especially after hearing what Jimmer did Tuesday night.

Fredette came up two points shy of his career high with 47 points as the Cougars routed Utah 104-79. Fredette, a preseason All-American, made 16 of 28 shots from the field (including 6 of 9 from 3-point range) and 9-for-9 accuracy from the foul line.

The 47 points pushed Fredette’s college career total to 2,001. He now leads the nation in scoring at 26.1 points per game.

Battle, a four-year starter, poured in 26 points Tuesday to help lead the Nittany Lions to an upset over No. 16 ranked Illinois squad 57-55. It marked the second straight season Penn State beat Illinois.

In 35 minutes, Battle went 8 for 15 from the field (including 4 of 9 from 3-point range) and 6-for-6 from the foul line. The Bishop Maginn graduate pushed his career college total to 1,860 points, meaning Battle should also reach the 2,000-point plateau before the end of the regular season.

I doubt I’ll ever see that guy ever again.

But if I do, my only message will be, “Man, my words never tasted so good.”

Share this:

11 Comments

I am very impressed with their college careers.
Not surprised by their success.
Both will get looks by the NBA.
Fredette could be a first round pick.
Battle will all likelihood go undrafted.
Good local stories.
Not sure that either could contribute as part of an NBA rotation.

Jimmer has exceeded many people’s expectations – he may get National Player of the Year. I think Andy Katz of ESPN compared him to Curry from Davidson and how he carried his team deep into the tourney.

Congratulations to both Jimmer and Talor as both seem to be outstanding young men as well as fine hoopers. It’s hard to believe they are both Seniors in College, it seems like yesterday they were Seniors in high School and Talor and company were battling the Brothers from CBA with the Holle kid. As a Bishop Magin fan/alum, I can truly say we miss you Talor in Albany NY. John R.

Chad Ford (ESPN NBA Draft Analyst) will be the next to eat their words regarding Jimmer. He is projecting him to go late in the second round to undrafted. Makes no sense to me. Jimmer can score from any spot on the floor, literally. He’s 6’2″ with a solid frame. He won’t get pushed around and he is bound to make NBA all-stars look foolish. Good luck Jimmer!

Im a local guy who played Hs and Jr college locally and still pay alot of attention to all the local talent. I have to admit, I was just like that guy. Being from BigTen “country”, you just dont think a GlensFall kid is gonna be that good. Add the fact he’s white (yes there is a racial element) and you have a perfect recipe for being underestimated. Played a little summer ball with him before his jr yr. He torched everything moving, Ive been telling dudes about him every since… Kid is the real deal. Dont know what position he’ll play(bigger Eddie House with a better handle), but he’s def a 1st rounder!!

30 years ago, I watched Danny Ainge make his magic for BYU and didn’t think I’d ever see his equal.

I have, of course, in Jimmer Ferdette. But more than his basketball ability, he’s a fine young man and a great ambassador for Glens Falls. We have been honored to host him for the past four years and we thank you for giving him to us, however so briefly.

I knew he would be a star in college as I watched him beat up on Scotia for 4 years. I watch every game possible on satellite and have attended 3 games this year including the game last week out in Vegas. He is the real deal and will have a VERY GOOD pro career.